1941 daylight Luftwaffe raids over Britain

[Smithy]

When the Luftwaffe resumed limited daylight bombing raids over Britain in February 1941, what was the usual size of these raids? I know they were greatly reduced from those of the summer and autumn of 1940, but trying to ascertain the usual size of these raids.

TIA,

Tim.

[Smithy]

BUMP

Does nobody here have this operational information?

Hoping somebody knows their onions and can help with this.

Cheers,

Tim

[Brian Bines]

Tim very little daylight activity over the UK by the Luftwaffe in Feb. 1941 some anti-shipping, recon, fighter activity plus some lone daylight bomber attacks. If you can get access to '' The Blitz Then and Now " books these give Luftwaffe raids/losses against the UK on a daily/nightly basis,

Regards

Brian Bines

[Smithy]

Many thanks Brian, I was beginning to worry that I'd stumped everyone!

Did raid size increase with the better weather in the spring from single aircraft to kette or staffel sized bombing ops?

Cheers,

Tim

[Brian Bines]

The Blitz books shows that poor February weather reduced Luftwaffe operations, there were night attacks on Swansea, London, Derby and Chatham by 30-60 aircraft, Minelaying on 12 nights and increased nightfighter/bomber activity against RAF airfields. Heavy night raids in the March to May period with only limited daytime operations,

Brian

[Smithy]

Originally Posted by Brian Bines

with only limited daytime operations

Any idea of the size of these "limited daytime operations"? I'm trying to find out what size (how many bombers and escort) were typically involved in these ops.

Thanks for the help Brian, I appreciate it.

Tim.

[Brian Bines]

Tim from what I read fighter activity was up to Staffel strength, daylight bombing activity was not escorted bomber formations in daylight, more individual attaks on Coastal towns and factories. The largest mention I could find was 19/20th. March when 60 aircraft operated with few crossing the coast and no bombs dropped,

Brian

[Chris Goss]

John Foreman's book on 1941 will also help but from what I can see in my records, massed attacks were not carried out. Day targets tended to be coastal, in bad weather and in small numbers (something the Luftwaffe continued to do until 1944). If you had some possible dates, I could look at my German records

[Smithy]

Thanks guys, very interesting to know these raids were up to Staffel strength.

Also I was previous unaware that these raids were unescorted.

You've helped me hugely. Great stuff!

Tim